Miller Middle School Counselor Angie Radcliffe speaks to the board on Dec. 7 about why she nominated Marshalltown High School Counselor Lydia Arevalo, left, for the Iowa High School Counselor of the Year Award.
Recognition
Marshalltown High School Counselor Lydia Arevalo was recognized by the board for her Iowa High School Counselor of the Year award from the Iowa School Counselor Association. Arevalo was nominated for the award by Miller Middle School Counselor Angie Radcliffe, who was also in attendance at the meeting.
“She goes above and beyond for (students) a lot ,” Radcliffe said of Arevalo.
For Personnel items, click here.
Included in the personnel items was the retirement of Becky Judge as attendance secretary. She has been with the district for 11 years
“We will miss what she’s done for the students of our district,” said Director of Human Resources Lisa Koester.
Rogers Elementary School Attendance Center Plan
Dr. Mick Jurgensen presented the annual attendance center plan from Rogers Elementary School to the board.
Principal Dr. Mick Jurgensen presented his annual report on Rogers Elementary School to the board. The two main goals at the school include increasing reading and math achievement. The school is also heavily involved in Sheltered Instruction Observation Protocol (SIOP)
“A culture of SIOP definitely does exist at Rogers,” Jurgensen said.
While the grant for Rogers University (summer program) has ended, the school and other community partners are looking at ways to continue the successful program into year 6.
Jurgensen described the Rogers staff as unified, dedicated and hard-working. “We are completing our 137th year at Rogers with optimism and energy,” he said.
Teacher Leadership and Compensation
Dr. Susan Pecinovsky shared the new website for TLC, which is in progress. It will be linked from the Marshalltown Schools website.
The goal of TLC is to increase student achievement by strengthening instruction and retaining highly-qualified teachers.
Pecinovsky said the district would not be as far as we are in professional learning without TLC.
Vision Marshalltown
Superintendent Dr. Marvin Wade talked about this community group, which has formed to take Marshalltown to the next level in many ways. The overriding theme of the group is “Marshalltown is primed for growth, ready to emerge and position for success.”
The Vision Statement of the group includes…
By the year 2020, Marshalltown will:
- Showcase exceptional educational opportunities.
- Offer a wide array of housing options and opportunities for families to reinvest in neighborhoods.
- Have and convey a culture of pride and respect, with a reputation as a great community in which to live, work and play.
The school board members voiced their support for this Vision Marshalltown group, which also includes School Board President Bea Niblock.
Urban Education Network and Iowa Association of School Board convention report
The board shared reports of these meetings held last month. The new board members said much was learned at the convention.
Finance- Budget Cycle
Director of Business Operations Brian Bartz said the budget process is continuous. The certified budget is due April 15, 2016. He said the tentative approval date of the budget will be at the April 4, 2016 meeting.
Roundhouse Fundraising
Dr. Wade said the Design Advisory Committee met last week and talked about the Roundhouse Phase 2. Phase 1 of the Roundhouse is done and Phase 2 includes the building of an auxiliary gym and wrestling room.
Fundraising is ongoing for Phase 2. The committee remains fully committed to moving ahead with Phase 2.
Fundraising co-chair Gary Schaudt gave the board an update and said they have raised $2.65 million of the $3.85 million for Phase 2
“We are about 70 percent to goal, we are continuing to fundraise,” Schaudt said.
Policies
504.14-E-3 – Harassment –Students (Student Handbook Provisions)- Changes accepted, waived second reading
409.3-E1- Licensed Employee Family and Medical Notice to Employees- Marked as reviewed
505.7 – Fee Waivers- Marked as reviewed
904.2 – Sales Promotion Prohibited- Marked as reviewed
905.1 – Community Use of School Facilities – Remove ICN paragaphs (last two paragraphs) – Policy will come back to the board
Board resignation
President Bea Niblock announced the resignation of board member Jennifer Wilson, effective immediately.
District Attorney Rex Ryden is in talks with the Secretary of State’s office to see how the district needs to proceed on filling this vacancy. Legislation that was passed this past year has changed this process.
Wilson served for six years on the school board and had two years remaining on her term second four-year term.
Next meeting
The next regular board meeting is scheduled for 5 p.m. on Dec. 21 in district offices.
From Board President Bea Niblock
“At each board meeting a quote is presented for those in attendance to think about. Monday’s quote was from Carl Rogers. “The only person who is educated is the one who has learned how to learn and change.”
The Marshalltown Community School District board of directors is definitely learning. Six directors attended the Iowa Association of School Boards convention in Des Moines in mid-November. Three began sharing their learning with everyone at Monday’s meeting. Three more will share their learning at the next meeting.
It’s one thing to learn new information, but it’s even better when you can share that new learning with others. A wealth of knowledge is coming back to this district to make the Marshalltown district an even better place for staff and students.” – Bea Niblock
The Board Report 